The Indian Union Muslim League has wriggled out of the controversy related to the posting of Calicut University vice-chancellor by hastily withdrawing its nominee, Mr V.P. Abdul Hameed.
But the party will stick to its demand for one more minister in the Cabinet.
The Indian Union Muslim League got unexpected support in the issue from the Kerala Congress leader and finance minister, Mr K.M. Mani, who told reporters in Delhi that his party had no disagreement in giving the fifth minister post to the League.
A meeting of the party secretariat held here on Sunday also decided to ask the government to find another suitable candidate for the post of the vice chancellor.
“The decision was taken as the issue has become a controversy,” said the IUML state general secretary, Mr E.T. Mohammed Basheer.
“There are some legal issues involved in it. But we do not want to pursue it. The government can find a smart and qualified person for the post.”
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‘Lokpal panel members will seek vote’
AGE CORRESPONDENT
bengaluru
July 17: The civil society members of the joint committee on Lokpal will seek a referendum on the points of difference with government representatives, including the issue of bringing the Prime Minister and the higher judiciary under the ambit of the bill.
The referendum will be sought in 10 constituencies, including that of telecom minister Kapil Sibal in Delhi and former law minister Veerappa Moily, one of the civil society members of the joint panel, Mr Prashant Bhushan said here on Sunday. Mr Bhushan was speaking at a programme organised by an NGO as part of the campaign against illegal mining, illegal land acquisition and corruption in the state.
“It is against the basic principles of the Constitution (to exclude the PM). They fail to understand that a corrupt prime minister is the greatest security threat to the country and it is necessary that he be subjected to anti-corruption investigation. The government’s draft bill does not even agree to bring the higher judiciary under the ambit of Lokpal,” he said. The civil society’s draft has suggested that all public servants be covered under Lokpal.